The Health Benefits of Straight Teeth

What are the health benefits of having straight teeth?

Do you ever gaze longingly into the mirror and wish for crooked teeth? Of course not, because they are not attractive to look at and may even be uncomfortable. If you are one of the many who are not blessed with a perfectly-shaped, evenly-spaced smile, there is no time like the present to visit your dentist and talk about your options. Teeth straightening is not just for adolescents, and it is not just for aesthetics either. Here are a few facts about the health benefits of straight teeth.

How can straighter teeth affect your overall health?

Tooth decay and cavities are caused by the build-up of plaque and bacteria from food that is left behind in your mouth. Your oral health could be affected, because teeth that are tightly wedged together and crooked are often very difficult to clean properly. Even though you may do your best to brush and floss, food particles and plaque may still get trapped and left behind to eat away at your teeth.

Gum disease is another big issue resulting from crooked teeth. Any plaque and bacteria that is missed between your teeth continues to accumulate and may also begin to infect your gums. When gingivitis is left undiagnosed and untreated, your infected gums may advance to periodontitis, a more severe type of gum disease.

Badly crooked teeth may cause a misaligned bite to form. This can happen when your teeth don’t fit together properly, because your jaw is no longer able to work in a smooth, singular motion. Instead, your chewing, talking, biting, yawning and facial expressions begin to malfunction. This causes pain and creates greater wear and tear on your TM joints. Over time, this can lead to a jaw joint disorder. TMJ is often the unseen culprit behind chronic and severe headaches, neck and jaw pain, ringing in the ears and back pain.

If you don’t want metal braces, what can you do?

The good news is there are several methods for straightening teeth, including virtually invisible and removable braces.Take a look at our teeth straightening page to learn more about the different kinds of braces available. This will help you think of questions to ask when you contact a Baltimore dentist. At your appointment, your dentist will thoroughly examine your teeth and then discuss the best options with you.